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. 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